I'm Jo Ann Hakola, The Book Faerie, bookworm and bookseller. I have been selling books since January of 2000. It's a homebased business and I sell online only. Here is my website: http:www.bookfaerie.com I offer free shipping stateside.
It's a one woman endeavor, and I love working for myself. I have over 6,000 books online now.
I do book reviews from a reader's point-of-view and try to spread the magic of reading.

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Geri has a dog that talks to her. Not as in barks at her but as in talks to her telepathically in English. Really!

Kensington Books and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It has been published.

What's bothering Geri is that Pepe isn't saying anything. He's refusing to talk to her. She can't do detective work very well without his help, he has good insights. However, she's trying to find an older lady's admirer. She doesn't want any pesky male around and he's entering her apartment and leaving her treats. He's even left rose petals on the bed. Geri thinks it's romantic but her customer doesn't.

She has a missing partner. Her sister calls needing her help telling her they are trying to kill her. Her other sister calls and tells her she has to come to her ex-husband's wedding. Then she finds a dead body. She has so many questions and needs Pepe's aid, but he's still not speaking. What's she to do?The characters in this story are all a little bit odd. Much of it is done in tongue-in-cheek style and that makes it fun. This is a light cozy mystery series and the talking Chihuahua is the best part.

Lee Barrett is excited about finding an old oak buffet that matched the one she had inherited from her grandmother and lost in a house fire. She can't wait to bring it home and search in all the little secret compartments. She's not expected any surprises, it'll just be fun to snoop.Kensington Books and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It has been published so you can grab a copy now.She's surprised to find that the buffet belonged to a woman who was murdered. It doesn't stop her from buying but she decides to read about the murder. More information doesn't tell her much. The woman was shot to death by her husband. The husband claims he's innocent. Since he married the woman for her money and pretended his girlfriend was his sister, no one believes him. Lee doesn't know what to think.When she goes back to the antique shop to look at dishware, she finds the owner dead. As she and her cop boyfriend investigate, they determine that the death of antique store owner and the death of woman who owned the buffet are probably related. But there's no clear path to the murderer.I enjoyed Lee's romance, how she lives with her aunt and has a friend that uses tarot cards, and all the odd nuances that come to life in the story. It includes witches from the past and present, what one does for greed, and a bit of insanity. That makes for a good read for me.

Friday, October 30, 2015

What better way to learn your numbers than to count with Snoopy and his pals? They are familiar characters, they have predictable behavior and they're fun!Put Me in the Story sent me a copy of this book for review (thank you). You can order it now with your child's name in it. It would make a nice Christmas gift.Woodstock is hanging around. Lucy is still lifting up the football on Charlie. But while you laugh and enjoy the illustrations, you'll also be learning how to use numbers. There are more characters each page and you learn how to count to ten. You'll want to read the book more than once so you don't miss any of the antics of the characters.

Here is a companion book you'll want to pick up. It handles the alphabet. This is also from Put Me in the Story (thanks again).

Look at the page with B. How can you not love an illustration like that pointing out the b's?Alliteration abounds and the sentence for each letter is a joy to read. I had fun with the alphabet book and I get your young one will, too. It'll even be fun to read it to them. The personalization will make the book uniquely theirs and even more special. What's not to like? Another good thing: They are running these books on special right now. You can purchase them with a nice discount.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

He's an excellent engineer but he's become a private investigator since his father's death. No one knows who killed him. Reece is determined to find out. What he never expected was to have his new case, looking for the mother of a young woman, merge with the cold case of his father's death...Publishing Push and the author sent me a copy of this book to read for review (thank you). It has been published. You can find a copy on Amazon.There is a lot happening in this story. There's an illegal gambling scheme in the middle. Three different parties are involved with it and have their own plans. Everybody is screwing everybody else in more than one way. A stepfather uses his daughter as bait. When the heat gets too intense, they all plan to split up and run. The only problem is that there are a few other plans, too.With money laundering, stolen paintings, and an assassin on the loose, there's plenty to keep your attention. In the middle of all of this, Reece is looking for his father's killer and a missing woman. He's lucky if he'll be able to stay alive. There have been two attempts on his life already.My favorite part of this book is the ending. Everybody gets their just deserts in the end. If only real life was like that.If you like an action packed book about people with money and power and men who want to avenge the death of a father and friend, you'll like this one. Once you start reading, you'll have trouble stopping.

She's not to touch or play a lourka before she's twelve. If she does, she'll get taken "away". The voices come and claim you. She's not like the other girls. She escapes off her tether to go play in the forest. (She's tethered to another girl so she won't be tempted, you see.) After doing this for some time, she's managed to make her own lourka. And when she plays it right before her twelfth birthday, something awful happens. Her friend she was tethered to was taken away...HarperCollins and Edelweiss allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published November 10th.

This is a great adventure story. It has all the elements you need to make a fantastic tale. There's magic, a steampunk cat, a loving friendship between two girls, a boy who hangs about because he has a crush on one of the girls, and a world that is very different. Once you come to the town of Lourka, you can't leave. The hills won't let you. But Linny has to leave so she can find medicine to help her friend. At least the lummox (boy) comes along with her. He wants to save his love, too.Linny unfortunately looks like a woman who was important in the past. As she tries to sneak through town, she finds out that there is a festival going on. Everyone there thinks she's come for that. No...The Magician wants her to lead his faction against the other side. The Regent wants her to go the other way. Her grandfather just wants to use her as means to own ends. She has to find her mother's sister, get the medicine and get out of town.There are a lot of villains in these two small cities and there are a lot of power plays going on. Linny has to try to keep moving. Her worst enemy was one I couldn't see coming. Maybe you'll pick up on it sooner.You won't be bored if you read this book.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Charlotte has come to Alaska to get away and to see her brother again. She's running from her past and has no plans other than to do more journalistic work. She's for female equality which, as you can imagine, doesn't go far in Alaska. It doesn't take her long to alienate all the important people in town.Kensington Books and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published November 24th.Her first shock is to find that her brother is engaged. The woman is pretty but she doesn't seem to be his type. He has plans for his future. Right now, he works with all types from prostitutes to poor farmers, natives to miners, and the like as a doctor. Many times he doesn't get paid with money but with food. He has visions of moving up in the world and perhaps being a politician. Charlotte can't believe it!Without meaning to, Charlotte gets caught up in a murder case. She heard people bumping outside her window but saw no one. The next day, they find a murdered prostitute. She answers the deputy's questions but it doesn't help with the case.This is a tangled case. Both Charlotte and her brother have a secret. So do most of the people in town. Charlotte keeps messing in the case driving both her brother and the deputy nuts. When they burn her room at the boarding house, she knows how serious it is getting. But she doesn't give up.This was set in Alaska, has an odd quirk in the story, and the beginning of romance for Charlotte. I'll be following this series. It's western with a touch of modern and a very interesting time for Cordova, the city.

Warren's parents have died and he's living in the hotel started by Warren the first with his uncle as his guardian. His uncle is lazy and naps a lot. Warren works hard and tries to keep everything clean and functioning. They had no business to speak of, but they got along. Then his uncle gets married...Quirk Books and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published November 24th.Warren isn't the prettiest boy, but he's a nice boy and he means well. His new aunt, Anaconda, is not nice. In fact, she's a deposed witch. She's looking for the hotel's secret and she plans to use it to get her powers back. Not only that, she invites her sisters over to help look. And, if that wasn't disaster enough, the sisters had talked about the treasure to be found and the hotel is overrun with guests!In the middle of this mess, Warren is carrying luggage to rooms, trying to avoid his aunt and her sisters, has found an octopus in the boiler room and has seen a ghost. He's plenty busy. He's also worried. If there is an all-seeing eye, he wants to find it first.This is a fun adventure with lots of action and lots of complications. The graphics are vivid. It's a good thing Warren is persistent. And wait until you see the secret weapon! It's a great read for younger readers and older ones, too.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

She can't believe Mma Makutsi is suggesting she take a holiday. She's never taken time off. What would she do? When her husband agrees it might be a good idea, she asks what she should do. When they suggest she sleep in and relax, she's scandalized. She never sleeps in. And she doesn't know HOW to relax!Pantheon Books and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you). It's being published today.This series is set in Botswana. It's slow moving, there's much thought given to actions, and it seems they always drinking tea and eating. When you're sitting in your reading chair enjoying the story, you can feel your blood pressure calming down...Mma Precious Ramotswe is antsy. She's not a relax and sit around type lady. She decides she'll go tea at the fancy local hotel where she can hobnob with the ladies she knows. She finds out all they talk about is gossip. She also meets a young man who tries to blackmail her into paying him to keep her van safe. When she leaves, he's scored her van door with a nail. She waits until he collects his fee from another driver and then nails him herself. It turns out his name is Samuel, his mother is a prostitute and he lives in another woman's yard. She takes his money and sometimes beats him. Precious isn't going to allow this to continue. Here it is her first day off and she already has a mission.The longer she is off, the more she worries. How's the agency doing? Why is there another Lady's #1 business going in? She wants to know but she doesn't want to interfere. So what does she do? She does some investigating on her own.She and Mma Makutsi have a volatile relationship. Each one says things and then worries about how the other one will take it. Sometimes the dance of their conversation makes things worse. But they always straighten it out. They do this time, too.

They are gifted. They are also hunted...The author and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). I enjoyed the first one in this series and was eager to see how the story continues. This book will be published December 11th.Phillip is obsessed with getting his father back. Natalie tries to calm him and keep him out of trouble but that's not working out well. When he meets Delroy and finds he knew his dad and had seen him since his disappearance, he wants Delroy to use his special skills to locate him now. He refuses. But you can't get rid of Phillip that easily.Phillip and Natalie are best friends but they each dare to do a few more things with their power each time they travel through time. One or the other holds back for the most part but not always. It's hard to stay hidden when you go out in the open. Martin will never stop looking for them. He wants to absorb their gifts.There's plenty of danger, world travel, adventure and magic involved in this story. A lot happens in this second in the series and most of it is for the good. But the story hasn't all been told yet. Natalie has set out on her own and you know Phillip will be following...

Monday, October 26, 2015

Vera was getting better. Why did she die so suddenly? Was it murder?Alibi and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review. It will be published November 17th. This is a fun series to read and I'm glad I found another one to read.Mrs. Kaplan thinks she's Sherlock Holmes. Ida is not quite as smart but she hears or sees things Rose sometimes misses so they make a great team. When Rose hears that Vera thought she was being poisoned, she thinks someone should check. They do. They also find that she was given a pill that conflicted with the ones she took regularly. Who could have done that? Vera had money. Maybe one of the people inheriting was involved. Here goes the team trying to dig down into the truth.This story is full tales of old folks and their antics. Everybody has their own idiosyncrasy, there's no way to keep a secret in a nursing home, and some folks can get in the way when they aren't even trying. I enjoy these tales and was glad to see Rose and Ida get to the bottom of the case. They may not be on the police force but they are a good team of investigators.

Juliet loves to sing but has debilitating stage fright. She also loves to bake so she goes into the restaurant business. That was going great until her fiance stole all the money, all the furnishings and ran away with the head waitress. Now she's broke, lost her business, and is bummed on life. She'll just stick her tail between her legs and go home, where she can run a small diner. It's the best she can do now.Alibi and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published November 17th. This is a new cozy series.Juliet's best friend is Pete. They've known each other for years. Pete's Dad died and the diner needed a new manager. He called and Julie answered.The first thing Juliet notices is that things are not as clean as they should be. The staff is not impressed by her. Her instructions to them are not well received and she ends up in a fight with Dave. When she comes back to apologize, he's already off work. That should be the end of it until tomorrow but when she goes out after the diner is closed, she finds him stuffed in the garbage can dead. Not a good start on a new job.The mystery was OK but it was the romance that carried this story. She's interested in this sexy professor that comes into the diner. He appears to be interested in her, too. She's getting close to him until she finds out he's not a professor nor is he who says he is. Who is he? And why is he snooping around the diner?Her friend, Pete, is involved with a woman she doesn't like. She loves Pete herself but tries to ignore it. She's very fond of her mystery man but she can't act on that either. I'm not sure where she's heading in love but I don't think it's going to be an easy choice for her. I wonder what mystery she'll run across next...

Sunday, October 25, 2015

When she was fourteen, Nonie tried to hang her younger sister. They sent her away to a mental institution and tried to forget they'd had her. It was an unpleasant surprise to find her on their door stoop waiting to come in. The mother knew she was coming but didn't share it with anyone else. Why not?

Seventh Street Books and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published January 12th. This is the fifth book in this series, so you can check out the others while you wait.

Nonie is only home about a week when she's killed. The local sheriff is hoping the state police will take on the case but he has no such luck. He's not being paid, he's retired, and now he has a murder mystery to solve. He's sure someone in the family must have done it. After all, the father has dementia, none of them work, and they are all a bit odd. Maybe someone was fearful of her. Maybe someone lost their temper. Who knows how she ended up in the pond?

My favorite part of the story is the addition of a new trainee on the team. She's a Hispanic. The boys are all good ole boys who don't clean or file well and they panic at the thought of a woman in their inner sanctum. Samuel just gives her some pieces of the investigation and hopes she might find something he didn't. She does. And that sends him down another path of sleuthing.

This was a good mystery. Everyone is lying in some way. There's a family secret at the base of this problem. It's not one most of us would have. It has a nice twist to it. I'll remember this story for a while.

The world as
we know it has gone.First the bees
died.Then the crops and trees started
to die.Soon the earth was almost unlivable. For those with skills, there were
jobs.And to make you feel better, you
could visit Nirvana.It’s a virtual
world where you can still visit your favorite places or create new fantasies to
make you happier.

Blue Moon
Publishers and Net Galley gave me the opportunity to read this book for review
(thank you). It will be published November 10th.

Kenders is
in love with Andrew.They’re engaged,
they treasure their time together and they have their own codes.With all the cameras recording them and their
conversations, they’ve learned a few places they can talk openly and take
advantage of it.

When she’s
told that Andrew has been killed in a lab explosion, she knows it can’t be
true.He didn’t work with anything that
could explode.The body she saw was
badly burned and it resembled him, but she couldn’t believe it was true.Everyone else tells her he’s gone.She’s not sure.

When she
finds him in Nirvana and the script of her memory changes just a bit, she’s sure he’s still
alive.But how to find him?

This is a
story of sadistic tendencies and total control by a corporation.Trying to fight big brother doesn’t go
well.People die along the way, people
she cares about.But she still tries to
hunt for her love.

This story was
rewritten by the author and this edition is much, much better than the
original.I read both and this one flows
well, offers you explanations you need, and is even very believable.I feel bad for the good characters that
died.The ending is a cliff hanger and you’ll
want to read the next in the series.The
fight isn’t over yet…

Saturday, October 24, 2015

This book consists of four novellas about one Christmas season where an Amish birther (midwife) helps deliver four babies all in one night. This is the story of their lives and loves in another Christmas season.WaterBrook Press and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you). It's already been published, so check with your local bookstore for a copy.

These young men and women are yearning for their own love and family but they also are harboring doubt. Some of the breakups were sudden and hurtful. Some just walked away and didn't come back. This Christmas season is bringing them together again and forgiveness goes a long way.

One woman had menstrual problems and had to have a hysterectomy. That meant no children and she wouldn't do that to her love. She broke up with him and wished him the best. Her heart hurt but she didn't want to break his. Another girl wasn't sure she wanted to settle down and act like a proper Amish wife. She wanted to travel, learn to use her math skills and see the world. So she walked away from Amish life. But she returns only to find her love gone.

My favorite character is Sam. He's Andy's younger brother and he's trying to get him to come home see his love again. He's also helping an old man come to terms with a bad situation and starting to live again.

Each tale is about resolution and the reappearance of love. This is a great read right before Christmas. Happily ever after always makes me smile.

Max's whole family killed monsters. Max does, too. This time, though, it looks like the monsters may win...Viking Books for Young Readers and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published November 10th. Max lives with an old former prize fighter and they work out a lot to keep in shape. You need to keep in shape to fight monsters. He also has a puppy. It's a hellhound. It's not real pretty but it's supposed to be useful. The first clue Max gets that he's marked comes when his hellhound comes after him. He has a heck of time getting out of the apartment alive. Then when he's walking down the street that day a ghoul comes after him. They don't go after live people and they only rise at night, so what's going on?Each monster is pictured, described in detail and you learn how it likes to kill. Max ends up fighting with them all in this tale. There's lots of action, a long dead man comes back to life, enchantment is involved, and you never know who's going to win each contest. It's good that Max has some friends.The current threat is eliminated but there's an older meaner threat just coming to life. Max's worries aren't over yet. This will be an interesting series.

Friday, October 23, 2015

Mr. Jams brought home an odd egg from his last trip that Clover can't wait to see hatch. They don't know what kind of animal it is so it will be a surprise. She gets a bit nervous when he goes off to find an expert on magical animals but he says she'll be fine. He said that last time, too...Disney/Hyperion and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). It will be published November 3rd, so you can get a copy then.I enjoyed the first book in this series, so I had to see what new adventures Clover has. Giants come and almost dislodge the cottage door by knocking. They're looking for a special pet. A leprechaun brings his daughter in search of the perfect pet. And the wicked witch sends her a batch of kittens that have magical powers. If that's not enough to keep her busy, the egg hatches! What do you do when you can't see what hatched? The egg was big, so it should be good sized. Where could it be hiding? Was it dangerous?

The magical animals are great fun to read about. Clover has a strong character and carries on despite challenges. She's willing to work hard. And she's good at matching people with the right animal. This series makes me smile. I'm sure young readers are anxious to get the next in the series. I hope there will be more.

When I was much younger, I found the Sandman graphic comics in Powell's bookstore in downtown Portland, Oregon. I emptied my wallet and brought them home with me. I didn't come up for air until I had read them all. The Sandman and his sisters are all deep and dark characters. Neil says they remind him of his dreams. Those had to have been nightmares!Vertigo and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published November 10th, so you can grab a copy then.My mind doesn't travel where Neil's does and I often get confused and mixed up during his tale telling. The graphics are very colorful and feel 3D, so the artwork can carry you along.This tale goes through history, worlds and galaxies and lost loves. You see all the major players from the original series. It's a bit like visiting with an old friend. Except this character is not necessarily a good friend.If you've read the other Sandman stories, you'll want to read this one. If you haven't, taste this one and see if it talks to you. It still talks to me all these years later.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Her parents ran a bookstore. They had a secret business; they sold dreams...Clarion Books and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published November 3rd.Sophie doesn't dream. She just sleeps through the night. But she can tell who isn't by their actions and their dark marks under their eyes, etc. So she suggests they take a dream catcher home. Once they do, their dreams get caught in them. Her parents distill the dreams and sell them to those who want to experience happy memories, trips, nightmares and more. One day Sophie takes one and drinks it. That's when she found out she could bring things to life.

You see, her dream was about a monster in the closet. She wasn't afraid of him, though. She petted him, they fell asleep together and when she woke up at home, he was still on her bed. It was a bit hard to explain to her parents and they weren't happy with her. She was happy with her new pet.All went well until a strange man sees her monster. That's when Sophie's life falls apart. It takes work on Sophie's part with her friends helping to save her kidnapped parents. Get prepared for a lot of monsters and excitement before you get to the end of this book. Sophie's world comes back together again but it's changed. I think it's changed in a good way, though. What do you think? And how can you look at that cover and not be intrigued?

Tanoor is a hunter. She's lost her husband and son to poisonous plants that populate the Empty. Nothing lives there but a few animals and monsters. She's a warrior in a world where the people are the most dangerous beings...Image Comics and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It's already been published, so check with your local bookstore for a copy.When Tanoor finds a woman washed up on the shore who looks odd, she takes her to her home and waits for her to wake up. When she awakens, it's not until she eats something that she can speak Tanoor's language. Her name is Lila. There are physical difference between them. Lila is a farmer. She and Tanoor don't have anything in common except the belief there must be another area of the world that is green because that's where Lila grew up. It's a good thing they bond together because the village chieftain wants them both gone and makes sure they can't come back.There's lots of danger, lots of adventure and an amazing discovery in this story. I enjoyed Tanoor; she's invincible. I even found myself liking the monster accompanying them. This was a good read with a message for all and I hope to read more in this series.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

This is a haunting tale of life in Lapland in 1700. The land was hard to grow a crop in, the woods hid wolves, and the people tended to be loners. Maija and her family had moved here to escape the father's fears. He grown to hate water, so they moved to the mountains and traded houses with his Uncle. His Uncle didn't tell him about the problems that plagued the village or the dangers in the woods.

Weinstein Books and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published November 3rd.

When the older daughter finds a body in the woods, Maija learns who her neighbors are. Her husband hangs behind, not strong enough to face his neighbors. The more Maija learns, the more confusing it gets. There's a new priest in the village. He knows no more than she does. There are whispers, rumors and truth all bundled together and hidden in the minds of those remaining. Did the other priest fall or was he pushed from the roof? Who were these people and why were they there?

When the wife of murdered man kills her children and then herself, the village doesn't know what to do. Hiding in the midst of the village is a pedophile. The priest is not a priest. And they all carry secrets.This is not a pleasant story. It kept my attention and I wasn't sure just what was going to happen. This is about life, myths of the north, and revenge on all sides. I don't think I'd move to that small village.

This is the first in the graphic novel compilation of this series. Get ready to leave earth and head for outer space...

Diamond Book Distributors and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It has been published, so you can find a copy at your local bookstore now.

Dustin Nguyen did the illustrations. They show you the emptiness of space and the cold and dark of other worlds and Mr. Lemire's imagination populates those worlds for you.

Android's have been outlawed. Unfortunately, that just makes them worth a lot more money to bounty hunters. When TIM-21 awakens and finds his family is all dead in the mining camp, he contacts earth for help. That's not who gets there first, though. It's a good thing the robotic killer driller is there to aid him.There's plenty of action and fire power here. There are several factions that want the last Android. It seems everyone who gets involved with him gets hurt. It has a surprise ending, too. If you read this, you'll want to read the next compilation that comes out. That's not a bad thing.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

You lose your urge for love when a crazed vet with a gun crashes into your bedroom and demands your lover must come with him. You almost lose your mind when he agrees to go...Alibi and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It is being published today.I read Kill Shot which was the first Jamie Sinclair novel and enjoyed it. It left me a bit cold but I was ready to see what her new book was about. This book is better written and plays on emotions as well being an interesting murder mystery.Jamie is pretty sure she loves Adam, but she can't understand why he'd take off when he has to go back to duty after a convalescence. He's a military cop and can't just put off his return. While she's trying to make sense out of it, his grandmother calls and asks to come and help. Her last line is that Jamie needs to stand with him. He had her back in the last adventure, this time it's her turn.This story involves drugs, a murder in the past that hangs over Adam's head, and current murders. Jamie believes Adam when he says he didn't kill the girl but no one has ever solved the case so doubt lingers. She decides that must be where she starts. Adam is closing down on her and tells her they're over, she should go home. As another determined woman, I know exactly why she doesn't listen to him. It hurts but she perseveres. It's when she thinks about the town as "kill box" that she realizes what has happened to whom. Now if she only has enough time to ferret it out and prove it...

Monday, October 19, 2015

Minna would like to go to school. She already knows how to read but she'd like to make friends. She can't go without a coat though. It just gets too cold in the winter months. So she stays home with her parents and makes some new friends there.Little Brown Books for Young Readers and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you). It will be available November 3rd.I really liked the feel of this book. It's set in a simpler time where you lived with what you had. Since Minna didn't have a coat, she wore a feed sack to church to keep warm. It didn't do much for young girl's tongues but it kept her warm. Minna made her own doll and made a teddy bear for her brother. She's learning herbs from an older Indian woman. She's making friends with a black boy that lives with the Indian. She's almost content but not quite.When the quilting ladies decide to make her a coat, she asks for a patchwork one. She also asks for the stories about the scraps. Where did they come from? When she learns about them, she also learns something about the children at the school. There are sad moments in the book but overall it's a sweet tale about a young girl trying to do what's right and trying to make some new friends. It's not a smooth road for her but she keeps going and things work out. If only it could be that way for everybody. I was impressed by how she stood up for her friends. This is a good read.

Latterly is feeling lost and has no passion for anything since his wife died. He started to feel that way before her death and her dying didn't make things better. He decides to take his Christmas holiday on an island. He rented a room, had plenty of places to walk and the food was good. There's a volcano near but it's been there forever. There's a greater storm inside the house...Ballantine Books and Edelweiss allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published November 10th, so you can grab a copy then.He chats with a young woman who is fun to be around and has a quick wit. He finds she's there with her guardian. There's a successful author, a married couple, a retired military man as well as the owner of the house. The author and the married man snarl at each other a lot. There's enough tension in the group to make their meals uncomfortable. Latterly tries to smooth things down.When the volcano comes to life, the visitors are sent to the cellar for safety. One of them is missing so a few of the men go to find him. They find him under a beam in a shed, but that's not what killed him.This story moves well, has a good plot and keeps you guessing. The volcano manages to mete out justice. Latterly finds himself put in a position that gives him a reason to live. Their Christmas celebration might be a bit more somber than expected but they still have reason to celebrate. Life goes on.